An Account of a Journey in Kashmir by David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer and Letters from Emily Overend Lorimer to her Parents sent from Bahrain and Kerman [574v] (1170/1291)
The record is made up of 2 files (630 folios). It was created in 1898-1914. It was written in English and Persian. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
3.
two or three other people up. How lucky we were that our convale
scents did convalesce.
Glim has started for Briadar Ahhas. There was a
secrecy and mystery about his going, and we have an Idea that he
was nerhaps hoping to run down there and then fly on a hasty trip
to Bombay? He spoke of this while still with us, and we In vain
lI tried to exkaln to him that B. was no Paris either for theatres
M or shops, nor was a week-end run down possible (as
seemed to imagine). If he ever reaches B.A. (he wanted to go wit
hnut either a g sun helmet or a tent, but I believe has been persua*
ed to take them under protest), he will find the Gulf in mld-sumie
in the midst of the Monsoon rather a dliferent thing from the
pleasure-lake he pictures, and I should think he will return to
Sweden from Baa Bombay direct. But I fancy he will Jurn back
before B.A. when he really sees what heat Is like. ly
does not conceive It. The Swedish mind Is truly something
’ganz apartes’.
I feel full of virtue hVlng made 8 pairs of , c 2 rta i n ®J 1 ™ ? ne
odd one for the Fo 41 House. * They are lovely and fre8h T an J fi J® 0 J-"
looking; and if I don't like the Bird when he turns up I shall tale
them back’ He Is ten days out of B.A. now and ought to be in
in 8 or 9*more, but It depends on the route he chooses, or rather
the routes his muleteers chooee for him.
I have also made new set of six long flat cushions for the
tennis seat, and am generally full of virtue.
Amongst the H w t Weather pleasures mentioned above I fogot to
say that we are having lovely fresh 'gooseberry fool* of mfflpe
green olums out of the garden, instead of porridge ,or breakfast.
These green plums also make delicious jellies and 'sponges'. The
cow, though only the second best cow, gives Just enough cream for
breakfast, and when we want a treat we can get lovely cream jrrm
outside. You know one s food and clothes contain g ^® a ^
'd)illtes of pleasure. Innocent enough and very if one i sn
too superior to enjoy them — and confess the fact.
No post has come yet. Fondest love to everyone.
ST*
About this item
- Content
This file consists of two separate physical files as follows:
1) An account of a journey in Kashmir in 1898-99 written by David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer of the Indian Army. His account is entitled 'Three Months of Privilege Leave'. It contains his observations on the languages, peoples, transport, flora and fauna, trade and climate of the region. There are occasional edits and corrections to the original text marked in red pen. The Persian language material in the file is a proverb written on folio 194.
In addition to this travel diary, the following is enclosed: an essay by Lorimer entitled 'Modern Education' dated 9 February 1895 (folios 1-24); two copies of a pamphlet that was published 'for private circulation' in memory of David's brother, John Gordon Lorimer, following his death on 8 February 1914 (folios 255-262); and another essay by Lorimer entitled 'Our Indian N.W. Frontier - a study in a bye-gone Civilisation. A forgotten Chapter of Frontier History' (folios 221-253).
2) Copies of letters that were sent from Emily Overend Lorimer to her parents, Thomas George Overend and Hannah Kingsbury. The letters describe the lives of Emily and her husband, David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer (referred to as 'Lock' in the letters), while living in Bahrain from October 1911 until November 1912 (folios 263-310) and in Kerman from January 1913 until November 1914 (folios 313-634). David served as Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. in Bahrain 1911-12 and as HM Consul, Kerman and Persian Baluchistan, 1913-14.
The letters discuss a range of topics including Lorimer's observations of local customs, food, climate, scenery and festivals; the couple's domestic life and arrangements (especially their servants, who are often discussed in racialised, insulting language); and her interactions with other non-local residents. Also discussed are Lorimer's reading habits, her and her husband's health, family news and, occasionally, world events and political developments.
On folios 322-324, the file contains a description of a walk around Kerman in March 1914 that is accompanied by a sequence of six small black and white photographs of various points in the journey (folios 315-321).
In addition to these letters, the file also contains a number obituaries and letters of condolence written upon the death of David's brother, John Gordon Lorimer, on 8 February 1914 (folios 299-302, 415-416 and 543-544).
On folio 417, the file contains an obituary of David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer published in an unknown newspaper following his death on 26 February 1962.
- Extent and format
- 2 files (630 folios)
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: this file consists of two physical volumes. The foliation sequence commences at the front cover of volume one (ff 1-262) and terminates at the inside back cover of volume two (ff 263-634); these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.
- Written in
- English and Persian in Latin and Arabic script View the complete information for this record
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An Account of a Journey in Kashmir by David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer and Letters from Emily Overend Lorimer to her Parents sent from Bahrain and Kerman [574v] (1170/1291), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur D922/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100179946971.0x000030> [accessed 23 June 2026]
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- Reference
- Mss Eur D922/1
- Title
- An Account of a Journey in Kashmir by David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer and Letters from Emily Overend Lorimer to her Parents sent from Bahrain and Kerman
- Pages
- 263r:298v, 303r:306v, 309r:391v, 393r:411v, 418r:542v, 545r:634v
- Author
- Lorimer, Emily Martha
- Copyright
- ©Munro Family
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